The term French vanilla was originally used to describe a vanilla custard or ice cream made with cream, egg yolks and vanilla extract. The flavor French vanilla, in addition to vanilla extract contains hazelnut, caramel or butterscotch flavors as well as spice notes such as anise and cassia. This indulgent flavor can be used to replace pure vanilla extract in baked goods, beverages and ice cream. One teaspoon of French Vanilla Extract, Natural is sufficient for your typical cake or cookie recipe.

Pure Vanilla Extract

All the Pure Vanilla Extract sold by Silver Cloud Estates is manufactured in accordance with the U.S. standard of identify. Vanilla is the only flavor that has a standard of identity. This means, by law, vanilla extract can only contain certain ingredients to be labeled as pure. The standard of identity requires 13.35 ounces of cured, cut vanilla beans (with a moisture content not greater than 25.00%) be used per gallon of finished extract. The extract must contain a minimum 35.00% alcohol by volume. Glycerin, water and corn syrup are allowed, but not required under the standard of identity for pure vanilla extract. Beyond moisture content, there is no requirement in the standard regarding the quality, origin of the vanilla beans or extraction process used. As a result, the quality of pure vanilla extracts can vary depending on the manufacture.

Pure Vanilla Extract is commonly available as 2, 3 and 4-folds. A fold is a relative measure of strength. Folded pure vanilla extract must also conform to the standard of identity. The amount of vanilla beans required, however, changes based on the fold. A 2-fold requires 26.70 ounces of beans be used per gallon of finished extract. A 3-fold requires 40.05 ounce of beans be used per gallon of finished extract. Folded vanilla extract is typically used in foods requiring a more concentrated vanilla flavor.

Vanilla bean and vanilla extract prices remain very strong and we do not foresee any softening until the second half of next year. We have recently developed some replacements for Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Vanilla Extract 2-Fold that a number of customers are now using for baking, beverages and ice cream with great success. Anyone looking for cost effective replacements for Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Vanilla Extract 2-Fold, that does not want to compromise flavor, should evaluate our Vanilla Extract, Natural WONF, Vanilla Extract Replacement, Natural #2422 and our Vanilla Extract 2-Fold, Natural WONF in their products. You and your customers will not be able to tell the difference. These products can be found under Vanilla Extracts/Vanilla Paste/Vanilla Powder